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Nintendo DS Games -- Hands-On Impressions

The Big N gives us our first full experience with its upcoming two-screened wonder.

We just got back from Nintendo's Gamer's Summit in Seattle where the company allowed us some hands on time with the DS system and its games. Here's a glimpse at the games that we got to play on this unique (and extremely cool) machine.

Asphalt Urban GT

This was probably the least exciting game shown at the event. It wasn't all that impressive, graphically, and it really didn't take advantage of the DS' unique functions. It's an racing game that features licensed vehicles such as Lamborghinis, Hummers, VWs, Audis, and more as well as wireless play with up to four people. Multiplayer modes include standard races, a championship mode, and the two player Cop Chase, where one player (the cop) pursues the second player (the not a cop).

The race takes place on the DS' top screen in full 3D, and the lower screen shows a 2D, overhead map of the track. Other than the separate map screen, Asphalt Urban GT looked like it would be right at home on the GBA. Perhaps it would have been a bigger deal had Ridge Racer not been on display.

Band Brothers

This game was also referred to as Jam with the Band in some of Nintendo's literature, but on the demo floor, it was called Band Brothers. Who knows what the final name will be? Regardless of what you call it, this music game plays very much like Nintendo's recently released GameCube title, Donkey Konga except instead of hitting drums, you're using the DS' stylus to poke at the notes on the touch screen. The game itself looks rather plain, but the menus have a funky, Woodstock-inspired look about them. And we're talking about the 1969 Woodstock concert here, not one of those phony recent ones (we're also not referring to Snoopy's feathered friend, either).

In addition to the touch screen capabilities, Band Brothers also uses the DS' wireless capabilities in a jazzy way. If you're within range of other people playing the game, an unlimited number of people can play at once, each "playing" a different instrument. It's like a virtual orchestra. Even if you just have one copy of the game, up to eight players can wirelessly connect to it and play in an eight piece band.